Gibraltar Day Three: Exploring Gibraltar On A Dreary And Rainy Morning

Although I didn’t sleep well, I was still up early my first morning in Gibraltar.    The skies were cloudy and rain was falling when I look out my window at the Gibraltar  waterfront and Bay Of Gibraltar.   I was staying at the famous Rock Hotel.   I planned to take the cable car up to the summit of the Rock but that didn’t open until 9:30 a.m. So I decided to  explore the streets of Gibraltar in the rain. I love exploring cities. After a cup of coffee I put on my rain gear and left the hotel.

I walked  to the Botanical Garden,  located  just across from the hotel, which I explored the previous afternoon.

It was raining so I didn’t take many photos as I walked through the gardens. I didn’t see any people but I heard a few birds singing in the rain. The camera I now travel with does not take good photos in the rain and  low lighting conditions, so  I didn’t  even try  to photograph the birds.

I walked down through the gardens which were on a   hill side to the residences  below on Rosia Road.

I  followed  the street toward the center of the town of about 30, 000 people.

Rosia Road took me to the cable lift where I had a nice view of the side of the Rock.

There was a fire station next to the cable lift. I like to see the police, fire, hospitals and other such important service buildings necessary in all cities.

I followed Rosia Road  through the residential neighborhood which was busy with folks going to work and school.

The only birds  I was able to photograph were  the house sparrows, native here, but which are invasive  and harming our native bird populations  in the Unite States.

I continued long the street until I came down to a roundabout on  Ragged Staff Road. I was surprised with how  busy the  traffic was  on the roundabout.I have learned that the city is very congested and pretty much all of the areas below the Rock are utilized for businesses and residences.

I followed Ragged Staff Road to the old wall that protected the city.

Traffic, both motor vehicles and pedestrians was still very heavy .

I was trying to make my way to the waterfront but it appeared I came to a military base with no access so I continued on Queensway Road.

It was quieter here, a more residential neighborhood. There were a few restaurants and near this one I saw a sidewalk that lead to to the Queensway Quay. The rain had stopped making for a more pleasant walk,

a small marina lined with restaurants. It looks like a great place to enjoy a meal and sunset.

I walked around the marina, wondering about the owners of the boats docked there and where they would travel  I wondered if they could just sail across the 9 mile sea  and dock in Africa.

I walked down to the scenic bay ,

and watched a navy or coast guard ship setting out to sea.

I love visiting ports cities and reflecting on the people who travel in and out on ships from around the world.

After taking in the view of the bay I headed back to the hotel in a light rain, I tried to walk around the marian but came to a dead end,

But I got a nice view of the Rock towering over  city . 

I walked up to Red Sands Road and walked along the massive stone wall that protected the city. There is so much history  in this small town beneath this mammoth rock dating back to ancient times.  I remember reading the Greek legends about the Pillars of Hercules  and the ends of the world being located here. . I   hope to learn a little more of it on my brief stay here.

I followed the  wall of the city in a light rain and then continued on Rosia Road again,  walking with the workers, students and just local residents out walking their dogs.

Busses  passed me by on my walk back,

as I finally walked back up the steep climb through the Botanical Gardens.

Walking through the gardens in the rain I still  I enjoyed the beautiful flowers already in bloom ,

and saw a few birds, the common  Eurasian blackbird

and Eurasian collared dove, both drenched from the rains. They were not the exotic migratory birds I had hope to see.

Even in the rain, I  enjoyed my short 2 mile walk through the streets of Gibraltar. I learned a lot about the city and it;s people.  .  Here is a link to a gallery on my blog web site  with some more photos ng hike. Spain Day Three: Gibraltar morning walk. March 14 2025.

At the hotel I had a nice breakfast, a lot of coffee, and a short break but I was soon out the door again, walking back down to the cable car in the rain. I wanted to explore the  famous Rock of Gibraltar, something on my bucket list since elementary school.

“I have an affection for a great city. I feel safe in the neighborhood of man, and enjoy the sweet security of the streets.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow